General Practice is open and is offering face to face appointments, but it is also….
- facing unprecedented demand which is outweighing capacity. As of May 2024, a single GP is now responsible for an average of 2,292 patients. This is an increase of 354 more patients per GP since 2015 (Source: BMA analysis of NHS General Practice Workforce data).
- dealing with increased patient list sizes, with an ageing population, and more complex health needs.
- facing staff sickness and shortages. General Practice is struggling to recruit for vacant posts, and find locum cover so that patients can still be seen if a colleague is sick or absent.
- being affected by the backlog elsewhere in the NHS.
- is underfunded.
- GPs and their practice teams are delivering a high number of consultations, and face to face appointments are available to patients where there is a clinical need.
- Consultation rates per patient have increased, leading to GPs and their teams working harder than ever to prioritise patient care.